Rockets start Carmelo Anthony against Grizzlies

Houston Rockets forward Carmelo Anthony (7) rubs the ball before the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Houston Rockets forward Carmelo Anthony (7) rubs the ball before the start of the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of a preseason NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - With forward P.J. Tucker out, the Rockets started Carmelo Anthony at power forward, a move that also led to James Ennis III starting at small forward. Though the lineup was the result of Tucker's sore back, Rockets coach Mike D'Antoni said there is value in getting Anthony playing time with starters Chris Paul and James Harden.

"There's always going to be value in seeing things we haven't seen and we haven't seen James Ennis and we haven't seen Melo with this group," D'Antoni said. "It's a jump start. We'll take advantage of it."

Gordon and Ennis worked with the starters in training camp, but D'Antoni said he wanted to see Ennis with Anthony.

"James (Ennis) plays extremely hard and runs hard and we need that energy," D'Antoni said. "He does that. Michael Carter-Williams does that. Clint (Capela) does that. Marquese Chriss will do that and Isaiah Hartenstein will do that. We have guys we need to have on the court because other guys like Chris and James and Melo and Eric (Gordon) are a little bit deliberate. You need a little bit of a blend of both."